aven. I will go then to the Image-de-Notre-Dame, and drink a
glass of Spanish wine with my tenant, which he cannot fail to offer me.
But order must be observed, Monsieur d'Artagnan, order must be observed!
Let us organize our time, then, and distribute the employment of it!
Art. 1st, Athos; Art. 2d, the Image-de-Notre-Dame; Art. 3rd, M. Fouquet;
Art. 4th, M. Colbert; Art. 5th, supper; Art. 6th, clothes, boots, horse,
portmanteau; Art. 7th and last, sleep."

In consequence of this arrangement, D'Artagnan went straight to the
Comte de la Fere, to whom, modestly and ingenuously, he related a part
of his fortunate adventures. Athos had not been without uneasiness on
the subject of D'Artagnan's visit to the king; but few words sufficed
for an explanation of that. Athos divined that Louis had charged
D'Artagnan with some important mission, and did not even make an effort
to draw the secret from him. He only recommended him to take care of
himself, and offered discreetly to accompany him if that were desirable.

"But, my dear friend," said D'Artagnan, "I am going nowhere."

"What! you come and bid me adieu, and are going nowhere?"

"Oh! yes, yes," replied D'Artagnan, coloring a little, "I am going to
make an acquisition."

"That is quite another thing. Then I change my formula. Instead of 'Do
not get yourself killed,' I will say,--'Do not get yourself robbed.'"

"My friend, I will inform you if I set eyes on any property that pleases
me, and shall expect you will favor me with your opinion."

"Yes, yes," said Athos, too delicate to permit himself even the
consolation of a smile. Raoul imitated the paternal reserve. But
D'Artagnan thought it would appear too mysterious to leave his friends
under a pretense, without even telling them the route he was about to
take.

"I have chosen Le Mans," said he to Athos. "It is a good country?"

"Excellent, my friend," replied the count, without making him observe
that Le Mans was in the same directions as La Touraine, and that
by waiting two days, at most, he might travel with a friend. But
D'Artagnan, more embarrassed than the count, dug, at every explanation,
deeper into the mud, into which he sank by degrees. "I shall set out
to-morrow at daybreak," said he at last. "Till that time, will you come
with me, Raoul?"

"Yes, monsieur le chevalier," said the young man, "if monsieur le comte
does not want me."

"No, Raoul; I am to have an audience to-day of Monsieur, the king's
bro